held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, stayed on until headed close home
mid-division, driven halfway, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, behind leaders, pushed along 3f out, hard ridden over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong to lead close home
prominent, driven over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
towards rear, headway on inner 2f out, no extra final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
never better than mid-division
towards rear, never dangerous
soon chased along, never a factor
Magic Amour gets the vote in this handicap to open the card with Mademoiselle and Roman Empire the main dangers. The selection is chasing a hat-trick and although he has a penalty for his most recent win he could not be in better heart and he did appear to win last time with a little in hand. Mademoiselle has got decent form on the turf but she was a huge disappointment last time out on her first try on the all-weather and on the back of that effort she has still to prove that she can handle this surface. Roman Empire was doing all his best work at the finish over 6f at Wolverhampton last time so he should be suited by today's extra furlong. Sundried Tomato is returning from a break and if he could get anywhere near his best he would be a leading player. However, for the winner the vote is given to Magic Amour.
Magic Amour 13-2 (9-5) Always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs beating The Job (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Fiore di Bosco (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Dwelt and switched right at start to race far side, towards rear, effort halfway, no impression, 10th of 16, 8l behind Flying Edge (8-10) at Ripon 6f app hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Roman Empire 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Ruman (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Mademoiselle 5-1 (8-11) Prominent, chased along over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 22l behind Stevedore (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Bodden Bay 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, short of room and checked close home, 4th of 14, 2l behind Sonntag Blue (8-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Zorn 25-1 (8-11) Chased leader to 4f out, soon lost place and behind, 10th of 11, 12l behind Hollow Jo (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Ace Club 8-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and challenged from over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1/2l behind Wings Of Morning (8-8) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
Mount Royale (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 7l behind Magic Amour (9-5) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.